Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper

Q in WI:

So we started the process of stripping our deck with the RAD stripper and it is working fantastic. However, when running out of the first 3 gallon mix my wife didn't take my advice and mixed another 3 gallon pump sprayer. We worked until dark and we have approx 1.25 gallons left in the pump sprayer. Is it safe to store for a couple days? Will it change its effectiveness?

The stripper does not go bad or have a shelf life. You will be fine. Glad it is working for you!!

So we started the process of stripping our deck with the RAD stripper and it is working fantastic. However, when running out of the first 3 gallon mix my wife didn't take my advice and mixed another 3 gallon pump sprayer. We worked until dark and we have approx 1.25 gallons left in the pump sprayer. Is it safe to store for a couple days? Will it change its effectiveness?

Rick Jensen:

Is the RAD stripper just a higher concentration than the cleaner, or is it made out of different ingredients? I have two containers of the cleaner, so I was wondering if it will harm anything if I increase the concentration of the cleaner. I've been unsuccessful so far in removing a water based SW deckscapes stain from a new Brazilian Redwood deck. I'm thinking of applying the higher concentration cleaner with a pump sprayer and broom, and then rinsing with a pressure washer before applying brightener. Will use TWP stain this time around.

The cleaner is not the same as the stripper and you cannot increase the strength and make it able to strip. It will not remove the SW.

Is the RAD stripper just a higher concentration than the cleaner, or is it made out of different ingredients? I have two containers of the cleaner, so I was wondering if it will harm anything if I increase the concentration of the cleaner. I've been unsuccessful so far in removing a water based SW deckscapes stain from a new Brazilian Redwood deck. I'm thinking of applying the higher concentration cleaner with a pump sprayer and broom, and then rinsing with a pressure washer before applying brightener. Will use TWP stain this time around.

Jonathan:

I purchased a home with a deck in need of refinishing. I found a "used" can of Deckscapes semi transparent stain from Sherwin Williams in the garage which appears to be the one used on the failed deck. Will the stripper work on this stain? It could be 8 years old if that makes any difference?

Is it oil based or water based? Oil based stains come off much easier.

I purchased a home with a deck in need of refinishing. I found a "used" can of Deckscapes semi transparent stain from Sherwin Williams in the garage which appears to be the one used on the failed deck. Will the stripper work on this stain? It could be 8 years old if that makes any difference?

ed sibbald:

We replaced all the flooring of an older wood deck with new pressure treated pine during the past 6-8 weeks (the deck is 50X24).

We stained it five days ago with natural cedar tone (looked great on sample wood)but the color came out a horrible orange creme sherbet color, despite mixing it thoroughly and repeatedly.

We want to strip the stain and start over. Can we use the restore-a deck stripper on new wood.

Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

What brand of stain was applied?

We replaced all the flooring of an older wood deck with new pressure treated pine during the past 6-8 weeks (the deck is 50X24).

We stained it five days ago with natural cedar tone (looked great on sample wood)but the color came out a horrible orange creme sherbet color, despite mixing it thoroughly and repeatedly.

We want to strip the stain and start over. Can we use the restore-a deck stripper on new wood.

Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Julie D:

My deck is 15 yrs old & was stained about 8 yrs ago with Cabot semi-solid oil-based stain. The deck is exposed on 2 sides and is covered by the second story of the house. Will RAD stripper remove the stain without sanding? If sanding is necessary, am I better off to just sand and forget the stripper?
I was planning to use Behr solid stain, but after reading here how difficult it is to remove, I'm having second thoughts. Your comments? Thank you

It will remove most but you may need to sand some. Much easier to strip off what you can so you have less sanding. Behr has some pretty bad reviews.

My deck is 15 yrs old & was stained about 8 yrs ago with Cabot semi-solid oil-based stain. The deck is exposed on 2 sides and is covered by the second story of the house. Will RAD stripper remove the stain without sanding? If sanding is necessary, am I better off to just sand and forget the stripper?
I was planning to use Behr solid stain, but after reading here how difficult it is to remove, I'm having second thoughts. Your comments? Thank you

ZiggieD:

I need to strip old sealer off a roof deck. There is a skylight I know I've got to cover that. There's also a wrought iron fence - do I need to use painter's tape around bottom? The roof is rubberized with aluminum paint over. No problem with roof staining -Am concerned with damage to roof. I've used RAD cleaner & that's ok. Stripper okay as well or too caustic?

It should not harm the wrought iron or the roof but always best to test first.

I need to strip old sealer off a roof deck. There is a skylight I know I've got to cover that. There's also a wrought iron fence - do I need to use painter's tape around bottom? The roof is rubberized with aluminum paint over. No problem with roof staining -Am concerned with damage to roof. I've used RAD cleaner & that's ok. Stripper okay as well or too caustic?

bryan b:

Hello:
I am restoring a Mangaris deck that had a Penofin oil a year ago. It is very grey now. If I use the stripper, do I use the cleaner and brightener after? Or just the brightener?

Just the Brightener.

Hello:
I am restoring a Mangaris deck that had a Penofin oil a year ago. It is very grey now. If I use the stripper, do I use the cleaner and brightener after? Or just the brightener?

mrmikechan:

I don't have a scale to measure out the 6-8 ounce of product per gallon. Is there a equivalent in cups?

It is not 6-8 oz by weight but by volume. One cup is 8 oz.

I don't have a scale to measure out the 6-8 ounce of product per gallon. Is there a equivalent in cups?

Mike F:

After adding water to the stripper powder what is the "shelf life"? A day? A couple of days? A week?

Same questions for the brightener and cleaner.

Thanks.

It stays effective indefinitely. Same with brightener. Cleaner will only last an hour.

After adding water to the stripper powder what is the "shelf life"? A day? A couple of days? A week?

Same questions for the brightener and cleaner.

Thanks.

jerryc:

My deck needs sanding. What procedures do you recommend and in what order. Sanding,stripping, and/or brightening.
Thank You

Strip off what you can, sand the rest, brighten after.

My deck needs sanding. What procedures do you recommend and in what order. Sanding,stripping, and/or brightening.
Thank You

Mike Chan:

Will your stripper remove a Cabot Semi Solid Deep Base stain?

I have a new addition to the same deck (added stairs). Can I use the stripper on there and then the brightener to prep the new deck prior to staining or do you recommend using the deck cleaner instead?

It depends if the Cabot was oil based or water based. Much better chance if it was oil based. Use the cleaner for the prep on new wood, not the stripper.

Will your stripper remove a Cabot Semi Solid Deep Base stain?

I have a new addition to the same deck (added stairs). Can I use the stripper on there and then the brightener to prep the new deck prior to staining or do you recommend using the deck cleaner instead?

Mark K:

I used the cleaner + brightener on my roof deck about two weeks ago. It got rid of most of the grime and old, failed stain but not quite all of it.

Then a couple of days ago I used the stripper + brightener on a section of the deck to remove the rest of the stain that the cleaner didn't quite get.

Now that the deck has dried, there is a noticeable difference in color between the section where I used the cleaner + brightener and the section where I used the stripper + brightener. The section where I used the stripper has a considerably more yellow tint while the section where I used the cleaner is much more pale.

What should I do to get the color of the deck even before I apply the new stain? Should I do a round of stripper + brightener on the remaining part of the deck or can I just do another application of brightener on the section where I applied the stripper to get it the same pale color as the rest of the deck?

Thanks

I would try brightener on all of it. It should even out the colors.

I used the cleaner + brightener on my roof deck about two weeks ago. It got rid of most of the grime and old, failed stain but not quite all of it.

Then a couple of days ago I used the stripper + brightener on a section of the deck to remove the rest of the stain that the cleaner didn't quite get.

Now that the deck has dried, there is a noticeable difference in color between the section where I used the cleaner + brightener and the section where I used the stripper + brightener. The section where I used the stripper has a considerably more yellow tint while the section where I used the cleaner is much more pale.

What should I do to get the color of the deck even before I apply the new stain? Should I do a round of stripper + brightener on the remaining part of the deck or can I just do another application of brightener on the section where I applied the stripper to get it the same pale color as the rest of the deck?

Thanks

1. Yes that is fine.
2. Since it is vertical it may not need anything at all. Maybe just a light rinse with a pressure washer to remove dirt.

Comment #2
Continuing
Can I omit the brightener step after the initial stripper, let the wood dry, then perform the touch up with the stripper, then use the brightener?

2. What are your recommendations if it is longer than two weeks since an area has been brightened before I am able to stain it?

Thank you.

I am about to use your stripper and brightener products to remove a Cabot oil based stain from the rough cut cedar siding on my house. Unfortunately mildew has become a problem. I have been stripping and staining small areas over the last few years with Biowash and Natural Deck Oil products, which are no longer available.
I am in the "test patch" stage of trying your product and have several questions about the timing for using the brightener. Your directions indicate that it should be applied while the wood is still wet/damp from washing off the stripper and then to let dry for two or three days before staining. I also read in one of your comments that it could be up to two weeks before staining.

Here are my questions.
1. Although the stripper did a good job removing the Cabot stain there are still gray blotches from the mildew. I plan on touching up those areas by reapplying the stripper.

See comment #2 for continuation

Dana Robbins:

WOW! 30 year old covered deck, 16 x 16. 30 years of layers, including 2 layers of semi transparent oil based (yes, the prior owner used oil over oil). Used 1.5 gallons of "mix", 15 oz. total of solution, applied with a deck sprayer, set for 30 minutes, power washed off with a 40 degree tip, followed with brightener. Bare wood. 30 years of junk - [i][b]gone[/b][/i]. This product is the [i][b]greatest[/b][/i].

Awesome!

WOW! 30 year old covered deck, 16 x 16. 30 years of layers, including 2 layers of semi transparent oil based (yes, the prior owner used oil over oil). Used 1.5 gallons of "mix", 15 oz. total of solution, applied with a deck sprayer, set for 30 minutes, power washed off with a 40 degree tip, followed with brightener. Bare wood. 30 years of junk - [i][b]gone[/b][/i]. This product is the [i][b]greatest[/b][/i].

Ted Ward:

I have a cedar deck and applied Thompson's tinted water sealer last summer it's looking weathered now (thought here are some areas where it was applied a little to thick). Will the Cleaner work on this or do I need to use the stripper? Thanks in advance.

Stripper and the brightener.